Device for cleaning range boilers



'Dec. 17,- 1935.

C. F. BRAND DEVICE FOR CLEANING RANGE BOILERS Filed May 14, 1954 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 14,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a system of and a device for cleaning the interior of hot water range boilers or tanks of corrosion, scale and other objectionable foreign deposits which adhere to said boilers during use.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device located interiorly of the boiler whereby water under pressure may be directed against the inner Wall of the boiler adjacent the top whereby the objectionable deposits may be washed or flushed therefrom downwardly to the bottom of the boiler from whence it may be drained outwardly of the boiler.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is at all times permanently located within the boiler and which, While connected to the outlet line of the boiler, in no way interferes with the withdrawal of water from the boiler in the usual manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which is simple in construction and mode of operation and requires but a minimum of effort and time to effect operation.

With these. and other objects in view, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a vertical section of a range boiler showing the flushing device in position;

Figure 2 is a detail View, partially in section, depicting the device;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and V a Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawing, the reference character I designates a usual form of upright hollow cylindrical range boiler or tank supported upon a pedestal stand 2 and connected to an associated water heater 3. A cold water supply pipe 4 is connected to the boiler tube 5, which latter depends interiorly of the boiler to a spaced distance from the bottom thereof. Flow of cold water into the boiler is controlled by means of the valve 6.

Heated water is drawn outward from theboiler through the line I, said outlet pipe terminating interiorly of the boiler below the water level.

As is well known, objectionable foreign matter over a period of time adheres to the inner wall of the boiler and .discolors drawn heated water unless the boiler is cleaned frequently, and the present invention, as above stated, aims to provide simple means whereby the tank may be vigorously flushed with fresh water under pressure to cleanse the inner circular side wall and upper closed end of all removable matter.

The flushing device, shown in detail in Fig. 2, is connected to the outlet line I within the boiler and consists of a threaded end 8 adapted to be 1934, Serial No. 725,486

connected to the outlet line I. The threaded end 8 has depending therefrom a plurality. of spaced integral fingers 9 which are snugly and permanently received within a circular shell II], the vertical side wall of the shell terminating at a point adjacent the upper end of the fingers 9.

The lower end of the shell is attenuated to define a circular opening II, which opening receives a short tubular member I2, said member having its upper end closed by a cap I3 and having 10 an annular flange I4 formed about its lower end.

A plurality of ports I5 are provided in the side wall for a purpose to be hereinafter'explained.

When it is desired to clean the boiler, the water contained within the boiler is drained off through the drain cock I6. The valve 6 is closed, preventing entrance of water to and through the boiler tube 5, and the valve II, which is normally closed, is opened, thereby shuntingthe cold water flow so that it will enter the tank through the outlet line I. The tubular member I2 is held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of gravity sothat flow of water through the entire extent of the device is prevented and, therefore, the water flowing through the pipe I under pressure impinges upon the-cap l3 and is forced upward and outward of the shell through the intervening spaces between the fingers 9. This action of battling and restricting the flow of water, as will readily be understood, causes a shower of fresh, 3

clean water under pressure to strike the inner wall and top of the boiler so that the entire extent of the same is efiectually washed and fiushed of all loose objectionable foreign matter, which latter falls to the bottom and is carried 01f through the drain I6.

Following cleansing of the boiler, as above described, the valve I! and drain cock I6 are closed, and the valve 6 is opened, permitting the boiler to be filled with fresh water to be heated by the associated heater 3. Upon drawing water outward, of the boiler through the line I, as when supplying heatedwater to a fixture, the pressure of the heated water in its flow will elevate the tubular member I2 to the position shown in Fig. l by reason of the water in its attempt to flow outward through the pipe I striking the under face of the cap I3, it being understood that the tubular member I2 is vertically slideable in the opening II.

Such elevation of the member I2 positions the ports I5 interiorly of theshell Ill so that water from the boiler will flow through the passage in the member I2 outward therefrom through the various ports I5, into the shell I0, and thence upward and outward through the line I to the fixture to be supplied. Additional water will also be drawn from the boiler into and through the shell I0 into the line I. Manifestly, the tubular member I2 will be maintained in its elevated position 6 so long as water is being withdrawn, the flange 14 serving as a limit stop.

It will be seen from the above explanation that the tubular member I2 is entirely automatic in the performance of its function, preventing the entrance of water through the flushing device while permitting. the withdrawal of heated water, the action being not unlike that of a check valve.

The boiler tube has its lower terminal end slitted and expanded to form integral spaced fingers l8. Encircling and housing said fingers is a cap 19, the cap being provided so as to upwardly deflect water entering the boiler, this upward deflection substantially preventing agitation of any sediment which may accumulate adjacent the bottom of the boiler prior to cleaning.

A drain hole 20 is provided in the cap [3 and a' similar hole 2| is provided in the bottom of the cap [9, each of said holes functioning to drain all water from the respective parts to prevent rupture as a result of freezing when the boiler is empty. I

What is claimed is- 1. In a device of the character described, a range boiler having means for normally supplying water to said boiler adjacent the bottom thereof and other means for withdrawing water from said boiler adjacent the top thereof, means for diverting water from said first means so as to enter the boiler through said second means, and means located in the line of said second means whereby the free flow of water is so restricted and diverted at an angle to the direction of normal flow as to impinge against the interior of said boiler adjacent the top thereof.

2. In a device for flushing the interiors of range boilers, an inlet supply line terminating in the lower portion of the boiler and an outlet line connected to said boiler in the upper portion thereof, means for controlling the flow of water from said supply line so that the same will be shunted to the normal outlet line and enter the boiler through the latter, and means associated with said outlet line whereby the flow of water passing inwardly therethrough may be directed under increased pressure against the interior surface of the boiler shell.

3. In a device for flushing the interiors of range boilers, an inlet supply line terminating in the lower portion of the boiler and an outlet line connected to said boiler in the upper portion thereof, means for controlling the flow of water from said supply line so that the. same will be shunted to the normal outlet line and enter the boiler through the latter, and baffle means associated with said normal outlet'line for interrupting the free and unobstructed flow of water into the boiler and for diverting the water entering said boiler so that the same will be forced against the boiler shell under pressure for flushing the interior thereof.

4. In a device for flushing the interiors of range boilers, an. inlet supply line terminating in the lower portion of the boiler and an outlet line connected to said boiler in the upper portion thereof, means for controlling the flow of water from said supply line so that the same will be shunted to the normal outlet line and enter the boiler through the latter, and baflle means associated with said normal outlet line for inter-' rupting the free and unobstructed flow of water into the boiler and for deflecting the water entering said boiler so that the same will be forced against the boiler shell under pressure for flushing the interior thereof, said bafile means being movable to non-operative position upon withdrawal of water from the boiler through said outlet line.

5. In a device for flushing the interiors of range boilers, a member adapted to be received by a sup- 5 ply line interiorly of the boiler, spaced fingers'depending from said member and housed within a circular shell, said fingers adjacent their upper ends being inwardly spaced away from said circular shell to provide passageways from said supply line, the lower open end of said shell being. contracted and embracing a valve member whereby water entering the boiler through said pipe may be prevented from passing outward through said contracted portion and will be forced outward through said passageways for impinging against the interior of the boiler shell for flushing foreign matter therefrom.

6. In a device for flushing the interiors of range boilers, a member adapted to be received by a supply line interiorly of the boiler, spaced fingers depending from said member and housed within a circular shell, said fingers adjacent their upper ends being inwardly spaced away from said circular shell to provide passageways from said supply line, the lower open end of said shell being contracted and embracing a valve member whereby water entering the boiler through said pipe may be prevented from passing outward through said contracted portion and will be forced outward through said passageways for impinging against the interior of the boiler shell for flushing foreign matter therefrom, said valve member being adapted to be moved to inoperative position upon withdrawal of water from the boiler through said pipe line for permitting entrance of water through the contracted end of the shell.

'7. In a fluid treatment system, a fluid treatment reservoir, means adjacent the bottom of said reservoir for admitting fluid to be treated 40 to said reservoir, means adjacent the top of said reservoir for withdrawing treated fluid from said reservoir, means for introducing a cleaning liquid through said last mentioned means, means associated with said second mentioned means havby the cleaning fluid may be forced outward through said ports for cleaning the entire interior of said reservoir.

8. In, a fluid treatment system, an upright range boiler, means terminating in the lower end of; said boiler for admitting fluid to be treated, means for supplying fluid to said first mentioned means, means terminating in the upper end of said boiler for withdrawing treated fluid from said boiler, means for introducing fluid to said boiler through said withdrawing means from the supply means for cleaning the interior of said boiler throughout substantially its entire extent.

9. In a fluid treatment system, an upright range. boiler, means terminating in the lower end of said boiler for admitting fluid to be treated, means for supplying fluid to said first mentioned means, means terminating in the upper end of said boiler for withdrawing treated fluid from said boiler, means for introducing fluid to said boiler through said withdrawing means from the supply means, and means associated with said withdrawing means whereby the flow of fluid is so deflected as to impinge against the interior of said boiler adjacent the top, thereof.

. CHARLES F. BRAND. 

